The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks players had their final media sessions on Thursday, and Friday morning the two head coaches faced the media feeding frenzy for the final time prior to kickoff of Super Bowl XLVIII Sunday evening at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ with a joint press conference at the Rose Theater in the Time Warner Center on Columbus Circle in New York City.

The press conference began with the two coaches making opening statements to those in attendance. Broncos Coach John Fox spoke first. “On behalf of our owner Pat Bowlen and the Broncos’ organization, I’d like to thank everybody here in the City of New York, Jersey City and the state of New Jersey for all the hospitality, and the host committee, by Mr. (Woody) Johnson and Mr. (Jonathan) Tisch, as well as the Mara family. All of the NYPD, the New Jersey police department who’ve made us feel very safe. They have taken great care of us, to and from the practice facility. (They are) great escorts. The New York Jets for opening up their facility. It’s been a tremendous experience. We get to go there one more time today to practice before we head to MetLife tomorrow. Last, but not least, I’d like to congratulate Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks for a great season and what should turn into be a great game come Sunday night.”

Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll followed with similar sentiments. “Thanks John. Likewise. Just arriving here we’ve felt the spirit of the area – New York/New Jersey is on fire about this ball game. The message has come through so clear to all of us. Paul Allen and the ‘12s’ that represent and follow our program are alive and well in the area. They’re enjoying the heck out of it. We’re really proud to be here and representing our football team and all of the people who make this happen. John Schneider, our general manager, has done such a great job of putting this thing together and putting us in position to be here. We feel very fortunate. It’s a very exciting matchup with a tremendous football team and a great staff. With the obvious stars on their side, it’s going to make for a fantastic matchup. It’s great to be doing this here in the New York/New Jersey area just because of all of the history and the background of all the great sports events and teams and events that have happened here. We’re really thrilled about it and looking forward to it. Thanks for having us.”

Both teams are ultimately after the same thing: the Vince Lombardi Trophy, which is given to the Super Bowl winning team. Both coaches were asked the significance of the trophy. Coach Fox responded first.

“I think it’s a pinnacle for probably everybody that does what we do. It’s something you work really hard (for). As Pete (Carroll) mentioned earlier, you take individuals and try to paint a picture of where you want to get to. I think this is the pinnacle of it. Unlike different levels of football, there’s only one happy camper at that end. That’s going to be the team hoisting that trophy. (The trophy has a) great history and great memories. I think most of us, even out there, grew up and have a Super Bowl memory or moment, whether it was your team or an incredible play. It’s been a big part of all of our lives, I think. ‘Sweet’ would be a good answer for me.”

Coach Carroll added, “The trophy really does symbolize the ultimate challenge and competitiveness in our sport and in our world of coaching or playing. To dream about being in this position as a kid and then working all through the years of coaching, battling and watching other guys do it and for the first time for us; it’s a tremendous honor. It’s a tremendous opportunity and it creates an extraordinary challenge to see if you can be the one. It symbolizes a tremendous amount to all of us. We all live with that, our players and our coaches. It’s great to be here, and (I’m) thrilled to be doing it, too. It makes for so much fun. The whole build-up, the whole following, knowing it’s a global event on game day just adds to the fun of this thing. The challenge continues to be out there for us to reach for, so it’s very exciting.”

Both teams will have their walk-through at the stadium on Saturday and then return to their respective hotels for final Saturday night meetings before kickoff on Sunday evening.

Considering we have the number one defense in the NFL in the Seahawks and the number one offense in the NFL in the Broncos, this game should be one of the best Super Bowl games in several years. Enjoy the game!